The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of vehicle thefts that occurred early Feb. 17, 2026, culminating in a crash in a neighboring parish that left a juvenile seriously injured.

Deputies were first notified at approximately 3:50 a.m. of an abandoned vehicle parked in the roadway near Highway 10 and Webster Maricle Road. The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen from a residence on Marlow Road.

At approximately 4:52 a.m., deputies responded to a reported motor vehicle crash near Bailey Road and Highway 10. Upon arrival, they located a GMC pickup truck abandoned and stuck in a creek bed. Contact was made with the vehicle’s registered owner, who stated the truck had been parked in his yard the previous night and that no one had been given permission to use it.

Later, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the sheriff’s office was contacted by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding a crash that occurred in Beauregard Parish. Authorities learned that a 13-year-old male juvenile from Vernon Parish had been involved in the crash. The vehicle he was driving was registered to a Vernon Parish resident.

The juvenile was transported from the scene to a hospital in Lake Charles with serious injuries. Deputies later confirmed with the vehicle’s owner that the vehicle had been parked in the driveway and was taken without permission. The owner was unaware the vehicle was missing at the time.

Following further investigation, deputies determined the 13-year-old was responsible for the theft and property damage involving all three vehicles.

Officials said the juvenile will be arrested and charged accordingly upon his release from the hospital.